Patent GB-1309594-A (GB)
Title: Alternating current electro-fluid dynamic energy conversion device
IPC: G01F1/64
Filed: 1970-04-01
Abstract: 1309594 Electrophysical measurement R F HONIGSBAUM 1 April 1970 [4 April 1969] 15369/70 Heading G1N [Also in Divisions F1 and H2] In electrofluid dynamic apparatus, the fluid (liquid or gas) is seaded with particles which are charged cyclically as they are introduced so as to produce a varying charge distribution along the fluid flow path on which collector electrodes are positioned, the spacing of the electrodes being different from the distance apart of correspondingly charged particles in the fluid and the electrodes being in non-conducting but electrically coupled relation with the charged particles. Fig.1A shows an arrangement for generating single phase A. C. The particles, which may be liquid of finely divided solid material dispersed in a liquid or gas, are introduced into the fluid flowing in a conduit 20 by an annular nozzle 24 which, together with a charging ring 32, is connected to an A.C. generator 30. The resulting cyclically-varying charge distribution produces an A. C. output at the electrodes 34, 36 coupled to a load 38. Ring 32 and the electrodes may be located on the outside of the conduit but are preferably buried in the wall of the conduit so as to form a capacitive coupling with the fluid stream. The conduit may be shaped so as to form a venture in the region of nozzle 24 followed by a divergent section carrying the collector electrodes, Fig.2 (not shown), and to reduce leakage of charge to the conduit wall in the region of the nozzle, a metal conduit section or a conducting lining or ring may be provided. Fig.12A (not shown). Three collector electrodes 334-336, Fig.3, may be provided on the divergent section and spaced apart either one third or two thirds of an integral number of wavelengths of the charge distribution so as to produce a three-phase output. In a further single-phase arrangement, Fig.4 (not shown) several collector electrodes at corresponding phase points in the charge distribution pattern are connected together to form a group and suitably spaced groups are connected to opposite ends of a load. Three such groups may provide a three-phase output, Fig.5 (not shown). Fig.6 shows an embodiment in which the collector electrodes 650-660 are mounted on a conical dielectric member 648 located centrally in a divergent section of the conduit 620. Increased coupling with the charged particles may be provided by additional charging electrodes on the conduit which are paired with those on the control member Fig. 7 (not shown). Such an arrangement may be modified as shown in Fig. 9 wherein the inner and outer portions of the conduit comprise flattened concentric cylinders 920À1 and 920À2 and the flow path is at right angles to the axes thereof. The nozzle 924 is flattened to a hollow rectangular shape and the charging and collector electrodes 932À1, 932À2, 934, 950 &c. are in the form of strips attached to the conduit walls in matched pairs. The collector electrodes in a single or polyphase arrangement having a divergent tubular conduit section may comprise, as shown in Fig.10 helically wound strips 1034, 1036, slanted vanes 1070 being provided in the conduit to impart a helical motion to the fluid stream. Matching  electrodes may be provided on a central dielectric member. The charging electrode is split into two semi-circular parts 1032À1, 1032À2 connected respectively to the ends of the centre-tapped secondary winding of a transformer 1064 in the supply circuit whereby a periodic transverse charge distribution is produced. Alternatively, the charging electrode may be split into six segments, Fig.11 (not shown) and connected to a six-phase, star-connected transformer so as to produce a rotating charge distribution. In a further embodiment, Fig.12B, the charging electrode 1232 is used as a collector electrode together with electrode 1234 to supply a load 1238. The supply 1230 is used for starting after which it is disconnected by a change-over switch 1296 and a portion of the output, modified by a network 1295, is used as the charging supply. It is stated that the apparatus may serve as an amplifier, flowmeter or, with self excitation, as an oscillator. It may also be operated in the reverse mode, by supplying energy to the collector electrodes, to serve as a pump, compressor or thrust engine.